At school lefties were always something of an oddity, but it turns out the joke might have been on the rest of us.

Barack Obama is perhaps the most famous left-hander out there right now (after Quinton de Kock, obviously), but back in the day it was actually considered something of an affliction that needed to be cured.

Well, new research shows that being left-handed should actually be considered a plus, at least in the sporting world.

That research via the Telegraph:

According to Dr Florian Loffing who led the research, the reason left-handers may do better is because most of their opponents are predominantly accustomed to responding to right-handers. Approximately ten percent of the world’s population is left handed, but in sports where Loffing’s research applies these odds are slashed dramatically. For example, one in five top-flight cricket bowlers are left-handed, while a third of baseball pitchers use their left arm.

Sports aside, there are three other reasons why lefties shouldn’t be scoffed at.

Lefties become President

What do Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton all have in common? They’re all lefties of course…

The preponderance of lefties in fields that are traditionally associated with intellect, such as mathematics and politics, has led to conjecture that left-handed people are simply smarter…

Whatever the reasoning, lefties do seem to rise to the top. Look at the list of Nobel Prize winners and you’re faced with a disproportionate amount of left-handers.

Lefties spend less time queuing

Seriously. Imagine facing a line of 20 supermarket checkouts. Which one do you choose? Studies show that people tend to veer towards their dominant side: right-handers go right, left-handers go left. As a result, the queues on the left are often shorter – which means lefties spend less time waiting in line.

Lefties are better at learning to drive

Left-handed drivers are ten per cent more likely to pass their driving test, according to the AA Driving School. A significant reason for this could be the use of the gear and clutch, which require precise motor skills. Both are positioned to the left of the driver.

Sure, but what about all the ink they end up with on their hands during school exams and the like?

Left-handed presidents, right-handed presidents, who cares – as long as it’s a president with normal-sized hands we’re all good.

[source:telegraph]